Spatula with multiple-flap scraping edge

ABSTRACT

A spatula includes a handle generally defining a spatula axis. The spatula has one end extending from the handle along the axis while a generally flat spatula blade is connected to the other hand of the shank. The spatula blade has two opposing edges at least one of which is a scrapping edge is substantially parallel to the spatula axis. The spatula blade defines a plane of substantial symmetry co-extensive with the spatula axis and extends through the two opposing edges. At least one of the scrapping edges includes a plurality of flexible longitudinal scrapping flaps displaces from each other relative to the plane of symmetry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention generally relates to cooking implements and, morespecifically, to a spatula with a multiple-flap scraping edge.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Spatulas having generally flat blades provided with variouslyshaped scraping edges have been well known. Typically, known spatulashave been designed with flexible rubber heads, although the market isswitching to silicone for its heat-resistance and rigidity. Becausespatulas are intended to scrape food products from surfaces of variouslyconfigured containers or cooking devices, spatulas have been provided invarious configurations in order to conform to surfaces of common cookingcontainers or devices. Also, such spatulas have sometimes been providedwith edges that are somewhat flexible, to better conform or adapt to thespecific configurations of the surfaces to be scraped. However, clearly,the more flexible the edge of the spatula is, the less effective it willbe as a scraping edge, and it will thus leave films or traces of foodproducts on the surface to be cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide aspatula that does not have the disadvantages inherent in known spatulas.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a spatula thatis simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

[0007] It is a still another object of the invention to provide aspatula that can efficiently scrape food, liquid and condiments from thesurface of any cooking or food-preparation device.

[0008] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a spatula asin the previous object that is heat-resistant.

[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a heat spatulaas in the previously objects that has good strength and greatflexibility.

[0010] It is still a further object of the invention to provide aspatula of the type under discussion that can be used with most brandsof food processors and various cylindrical storage containers.

[0011] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a spatulathat can readily conform to a surface to be scraped while beingsufficiently rigid to efficiently remove food products from thatsurface.

[0012] It is an additional object of the invention to provide a spatulathat continues to have at least flap to be in scraping contact with asurface to be scraped even when the edge of the spatula is urged againstthe surface and becomes deformed.

[0013] In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others thatwill become apparent hereinafter, a spatula in accordance with thepresent invention is provided with a multiple-flap scraping edge inwhich the multiple flaps extend along the scraping edge and are spacedor offset from each other along a direction generally corresponding tothe direction of movement of the spatula during a cleaning or a scrapingoperation.

[0014] More specifically, a spatula in accordance with the presentinvention preferably comprises a handle generally defining aspatula-axis. A shank is provided, having one end extending from saidhandle along said spatula axis. A generally flat spatula blade isconnected to the other end of said shank and has two opposing edges, atleast one of which is a scraping edge substantially parallel to saidspatula axis. Such spatula blade defines a plane of substantial symmetrycoextensive with said spatula axis and extends through said two opposingedges. Said at least one scraping edge includes a plurality of flexiblelongitudinal scraping flaps displaced from each other relative to saidplane of symmetry.

[0015] In a presently preferred embodiment, three flaps are provided, acenter one of which projects from said scraping edge along said plane ofsymmetry while the two remaining flaps are each angularly offsetrelative to said center flap to each side of said plane of symmetry.Advantageously, a longitudinal groove generally parallel to said spatulaaxis is provided on said spatula blade proximate to said flaps tofacilitate the flaps to bend at an angle when swept along a surface of akitchen device, to allow two of said flaps to have complete contact withthe surface of the kitchen device regardless of the sweeping or scrapingdirection. In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, thecenter flap, on the plane of symmetry, is made slightly longer in orderto catch any substance missed by the other, outer flaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other objects of the invention may be more readilyseen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a spatula with multiple-flapscraping edge in accordance with the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,partially broken away to illustrate the end of the shank embedded withinthe blade of the spatula;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 3-3;

[0020]FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of region A in FIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 5-5;

[0022]FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail of region B in FIG. 5;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 7-7;

[0024]FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail of region C in FIG. 7;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 9-9;

[0026]FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail of region D in FIG. 9;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 11-11;

[0028]FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail of region E in FIG. 11;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 13-13;

[0030]FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail of region F in FIG. 13;

[0031]FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,taken along line 15-15;

[0032]FIG. 16 is an enlarged detail of detail G in FIG. 15; and

[0033]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the spatula shown in FIG. 1,shown within a cut-away section of a typical food processor bowl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0034] Referring now specifically to the figures, in which similar oridentical parts will be identified by the same reference numeralsthroughout, and first referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the spatula inaccordance with the present invention is generally designated by thereference numeral 10.

[0035] The spatula 10 includes a handle 12 generally defining a spatulaaxis X. A shank 14 has one end 14 a extending from the handle and oneend 14 b remote from the handle 12 along the spatula axis. The generallyflat spatula blade 16 is connected to the other end 14 b of the shank 14and has two opposing edges 16 a, 16 b, at least one of which is ascrapping edge substantially parallel to the spatula axis X. The spatulablade 16 defines a plane of substantial symmetry P (FIG. 2), the planeof substantial symmetry being co-extensive with the spatula axis X andextending through the two opposing edges 16 a, 16 b.

[0036] An important feature of the invention is that at least onescrapping edge 16 a, in the depicted embodiment 10, includes a pluralityof flexible longitudinal scrapping flaps 18, 20, 22 (e.g., FIGS. 5 and6) that are displaced from each other relative to the plane of symmetryP. In the presently preferred and depicted embodiment three such flaps18, 20, 22 are provided although it should be evident that any pluralityof flaps may be used, with different degrees of advantage.

[0037] Referring, for example, to FIG. 6, one flap 18 is generallyco-extensive with the plane of substantial symmetry P, while the otherflaps are angularly displaced from the plane of symmetry. Also, in thedepicted embodiment, and accordance with presently preferred mode, thedepth or length of co-extensive or central flap 18, in a plane normal tothe spatula axis X and plane of substantial symmetry P is greater thanthe width or length of the angularly displaced flaps 20, 22.

[0038] The shank 14 includes a shank extension 14 b′ (FIG. 2) thatprojects deeply into and is embedded within the spatula blade 16 inorder to reinforced and stiffen the blade to make it more effective forscrapping purposes. This is desirable particularly when the spatulablade 16 is made of the presently preferred material, namely silicon.The silicon tends to be substantially flexible and the shank extension14 b′ reinforces and prevents the blade from excessively flexing alongthe axis X.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3-16 it will be evident that the depth orlength of the flaps, in the plane normal to the spatula axis X in theplane of symmetry vary along the scrapping edge 16 a. Thus, withsections take along line 3-3 showing region A, line 5-5 showing regionB, line 7-7 showing region C, line 9-9 showing region D, line 11-11showing region E, line 13-13 showing region F and line 15-15 showingregion G, it will be noted that the lateral or displaced flaps arenon-existent at cutting plane 3-3, although the depths of theco-extensive or essential flap 18 has started to project outwardly alongthe plane P. The other aforementioned cutting planes the central orco-extensive flap increases in length or depth and the lateral orangularly displaced flaps 20, 22 project outwardly and remain extendedin relation to the central or co-extensive flap 18, with these flapssubstantially retaining their dimension relative to each other along theentire height of the scrapping edge 16 a, particularly starting with thecutting plane 7-7 and down. Thus, it will be evident that the flaps inthe region of the shank are not as essential as the vertically disposedportions of the scrapping edge 16 a which is actually used to scrapagainst the surface. The flaps, being made of silicon, and beingrelatively short can deflect or pivot relative to a hypothetical pivotpoint generally aligned with indentations 24, 26 which are provided tofacilitate such movements or pivoting actions. The pivoting actionallows the flaps to better conform to the specific shape orconfiguration of the surface being scrapped. The indentations 24, 26form longitudinal constricted regions or groves generally parallel tothe spatula axis X and are in proximity to at least one of the scrappingedges. It will be evident that the longitudinal indentations or grovesmay be provided on at least one of the surfaces of the spatula althoughtwo such longitudinal indentations are use in the preferred embodiment.Preferably, the indentations are spaced from each other at a distance inthe order of magnitude as the spacing between adjacent flaps, so thatthe indentations are in generally close proximity to the flaps. Suchdistances can be substantially equal.

[0040] The co-extensive essential flap 18 is shown to be longer or widerthan the displaced or lateral flaps 20, 22. The specific relative sizesare not critical, although, in the presently preferred embodiment, theessential flap is at least twice the width or length of the angularlydisplaced or lateral flaps. Along certain cutting planes, the central orco-extensive flap 18 may also attain as much as three times the width orlength of the displaced or lateral flaps. See, for example, FIGS. 8 and10.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, for example, it will be noted that the shankextension 14 b′ of the shank 14 generally has a rectangularcross-section although this is not critical for the invention. It is auseful cross-section in the context of a generally flat spatula blade inorder to maximize the strength or rigidity of the blade while safelyimbedding the shank extension therein.

[0042] In FIG. 17, the spatula 10 is shown having the spatula bladereceived within a food processor bowl 24. The processor bowl includes alateral cylindrical wall 24 a and a central cylindrical projection 26defining a cylindrical tube 26 a and an opening 26 b. In order to scrapea food processor bowl having such configurations, the scrapping edge 16a is placed on the interior surface of the outside wall 24 a while theshorter scrapping surface 16 b is conveniently arranged against theexternal surface of the cylindrical tube 26 a. It will be clear thatmovement of the spatula within the bowl 24 as suggested willsimultaneously scrape the internal surface of the wall 24 a as well asthe external surface of the tube 26 a.

[0043] It should be clear from the above description and the figuresthat the triple-edge spatula is unique and efficient in its ability toscrape food, liquid and condiments from the surface of many cooking orfood preparation device.

[0044] This is made possible by its combination of rigidity andflexibility of its scrapping edges. The three flexible flaps act toremove substances from smooth surfaces in one clean sweep. The edge 16 acontaining the three flaps 18, 20, 22 as a group between itself and thebody of the spatula, as noted, which helps the flaps to bend and anglewhen swept along the surface of the kitchen device. This allows eitherof two outer flaps to have complete contact with the surface of thekitchen device whether sweeping in a forward or backward motion. Inaddition to the shorter outer flaps the middle flap is slightly longerin order to catch any substance missed by the outer flaps. This improvesthe efficiency of the spatula by allowing a minimum of two flaps toscrape the surfaces of the kitchen vessel when swept in eitherdirection. This creates the equivalent of at least two scrapes for themanual work of one. No other spatula has been made with multiple edges.The silicon allows the three flaps to flex more than other materialswould and, therefore, enhancing its functionality. It also makes it easyto clean because one can flex the spatula to clean between the flaps andgroves. The other benefit of the triple edge spatula is that it has beendesigned to function in the most popular brand of the food processors.There are other existing food processors' spatula, but this one has beendesigned with a profile that is specifically matched to certain vesselinteriors, while also working well in other food processor's bowls andother various cylindrical storage containers.

[0045] While this invention has been described in detail with particularreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood thatvariations and modifications will be effected within the spirit andscope of the invention as described herein and as defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. Spatula comprising a handle generally defining aspatula axis; a shank having one end extending from said handle alongsaid spatula axis; a generally flat spatula blade connected to the otherend of said shank and having two opposing edges at least one of which isa scraping edge substantially parallel to said spatula axis, saidspatula blade defining a plane of substantial symmetry coextensive withsaid spatula axis and extending through said two opposing edges, said atleast one scraping edge including a plurality of flexible longitudinalscraping flaps displaced from each other relative to said plane ofsymmetry.
 2. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, whereinsaid flaps are angularly displaced from each other.
 3. Spatulacomprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein three flaps areprovided.
 4. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, whereinone flap is coextensive with said plane of symmetry, and another flap isangularly displaced from said plane of symmetry.
 5. Spatula comprising ahandle according to claim 4, wherein the depth of said coextensive flap,in a plane normal to said spatula axis and said plane of symmetry, isgreater than the width of said angularly displaced flap.
 6. Spatulacomprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein said spatula blade isformed of a resilient, heat resistance material.
 7. Spatula comprising ahandle according to claim 6, wherein said material is silicone. 8.Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein the spatula isintended to be used to scrape two surfaces having different heights, oneof said opposing edges generally corresponding to one of the heights andthe other of said edges generally corresponding to the other of saidheights.
 9. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, whereinthe other of said edges is provided with a rounded edge.
 10. Spatulacomprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein the depth of saidflaps, in a place normal to said spatula axis and said plane ofsymmetry, vary along said scraping edge.
 11. Spatula comprising a handleaccording to claim 10, wherein said widths of said flaps decreases inthe region of said handle.
 12. Spatula comprising a handle according toclaim 1, furthering comprising means for facilitating displacement ofsaid flaps in relation to said plane of symmetry during scraping actionsof said scraping edge on a surface to be cleaned.
 13. Spatula comprisinga handle according to claim 12, wherein said means comprises alongitudinal constricted region generally parallel to said spatula axisand proximity to said at least one scraping edge.
 14. Spatula comprisinga handle according to claim 13, wherein said means comprises alongitudinal indentation on at least one surface of said spatula. 15.Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 14, wherein twolongitudinal indentations are provided one in each side of said spatula.16. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 15, wherein said twoindentations are on opposite sides of said plane of symmetry andarranged on a plane normal to said plane of symmetry.
 17. Spatulacomprising a handle according to claim 15, wherein said indentations arespared from each other a distance on the order of magnitude as spacingbetween adjacent flaps.
 18. Spatula comprising a handle according toclaim 17, wherein said distances are substantially equal.
 19. Spatulacomprising a handle according to claim 5, wherein said coextensive flapis at least twice the width of said displaced flaps.
 20. Spatulacomprising a handle according to claim 5, wherein said coextensive flapis at least three times the width of said displaced flaps.